Fang Congyi, a Daoist priest from Jiangxi, traveled extensively in the north before settling down at the seat of the Orthodox Unity Daoist church, the Shangqing Temple on Mount Longhu (Dragon Tiger Mountain), Jiangxi province. Imbued with Daoist mysticism, he painted landscapes that "turned the shapeless into shapes and returned things that have shapes to the shapeless."According to Daoist geomantic beliefs, a powerful life energy pulsates through mountain ranges and watercourses in patterns known as longmo (dragon veins). In Cloudy Mountains, the painter's kinetic brushwork, wound up as if in a whirlwind, charges the mountains with an expressive liveliness that defies their physical structure. The great mountain range, weightless and dematerialized, resembles a dragon ascending into the clouds.DOCUMENTATIONNo artist’s inscription, signature, or sealFrontispieceCheng Nanyun 程南雲 (active 1403–after 1440), 4 large characters in seal script and 1 column in standard script, undated; 1 seal: A genuine work by Fanghu [Fang Congyi].Inscribed by Cheng Nanyun, Vice Minister of Imperial Sacrifices [of the] secondary [capital, i.e. Nanjing] and Attendant Academician of the Classics Colloquium. [Seal]: Qing Xuan 方壺真跡 太常少卿兼經筵侍書程南雲題。 [印] 清軒Colophons[i] 1. Gao Gu 高榖 (1391–1460), 23 columns in standard script, dated 1447; 3 seals: Cloudy Mountains was made by the lofty Daoist monk of the Shangqing [Temple], Fang Fanghu [Fang Congyi]. Connoisseurs collected it because they believed it to be a precious object. Judging from the dexterity of the brushwork and the depth of the conception, clearly [Fang’s] paintings are of the same standard as those by Mi Nangong [Mi Fu, 1052–1107] and Gao Fangshan [Gao Kegong, 1248–1310]; they must not be compared to later artists who learned only the superficials. In this scroll, the layered peaks are tinted with the colors of a clear day, now hidden, now revealed by the drifting mist and clouds; the long strip of mountain slope looks like a sandy embankment. The gates of the mountain home seem so quiet, as if no one is there. This must be either a choice realm of the immortals, or some supreme view of the mortal world. In my family there used to be a painting by Fanghu, although its composition, treatment of depth, and proportions cannot possibly rival this scroll, the excellence of the spirit and the nuance in its use of ink are certainly comparable. Alas, ink-wash paintings like those of Fanghu are not to be frequently seen, even though his paintings have circulated in the world for only seventy-some years. This cannot help but redouble one’s feeling of admiration [for this work]. So I write a quatrain to commemorate this event: The guest from Yingzhou cannot be seen; His soundless poems give profound pleasure. Intermittent clouds obscure the rustic cottage;Distant trees girdle the mountain slopes.Traces of the hermit are not to be found;The woodcutter has finished his song.Unrolling the painting, I imagine his loftiness,How truly I long to be [in this place]. Composed on the thirteenth day of the intercalary fourth lunar month in the summer of the dingmao year, the twelfth year of the Zhengtong era [May 27, 1447], by Right Assistant Minister of Works [of the secondary capital], Academician Expositor-in-waiting in the Hanlin Academy [of the secondary capital] and Official of the Classics Colloquium, Gao Gu of Huainan [in Jiangsu Province][ii] [Seals]: Weiyang, Shiyong, Yu Zhai 《雲山圖》一幅，上清高士方方壺所作也，好事者藏之，以為珍玩。觀其筆法精到，意態悠遠，與米南宮、高房山同一軌度，非後來淺之為學者之比。然而晴嵐疊嶂掩映於煙雲縹緲之際，山坡一帶，長若隄築，巖扉幽邃，闃然無人，蓋仙家之勝境、塵坱之絕觀也。予家有方壺手跡一披，其布置遠近大小，雖不敢差肩於斯，而精神點染之妙，殆不可以優劣論。鳴呼！水墨之筆如方壺者不復多見矣，其流落人間，距今餘七十載，不能不使人重其景仰之思，因為五言律一，以紀其事云：不見瀛洲客[點去]，無聲意趣多。斷雲迷野墅，遠樹帶山坡。木客深潛跡，樵人已罷歌。披圖想高致，清興欲如何。侶正統十二年歲在丁卯，夏後四月十有三日工部右侍郎兼翰林院侍講學士兼經筵官淮南高榖識。 [印]：維揚、世用、育齋 2. Zhou Kai 周凱 (active early 15th c.), 13 columns in semi-cursive script, undated; 3 seals: The lofty scholar of the Shangqing Temple, Fang Fanghu,In what year did he paint this Cloudy Mountains?How can his creativity be bound by common feelings?This realm is far removed from the mortal world.From Langfeng the path winds to the isle of Peng [-lai],The ethereal vapors lead to Daxiabiao.Rare grasses are fragrant, daylight lingers,Ripened peaches confer youthfulness.Towering palaces silhouetted against the azure sky,White clouds and blue mists making an expansive haze.As if seeing the shine of cinnabar within the caves,Or hearing the chirping of orioles in the trees.Guangcheng and An Qi, where are they?Facing this painting increases my admiration [for Fang].When will he return riding the windTo relieve this dusty world of its deep ailments?Zhou Kai from Yongjia [in Zhejiang Province]. [Seals]: Ouyue, Zhou shi Zhonglü, Yu zaowu you 上清高士方方壺，何年畫此雲山圖。 玄機豈為俗情繫，異境自與塵寰殊。 閬風逶迤接蓬島，弱水東連大霞表。 瑤草香生白日遲，蟠桃實熟青春好。 臺殿巍峨紫翠分，白雲蒼靄交氤氳。 丹光仿佛洞中見，鶯語依稀樹裏聞。 廣成安期在何處，對此令人益傾慕。 乘風便欲問大還，下與濁世蘇沈痼。 永嘉周凱 [印]：甌越、周氏中律、與造物游 3. Gu Han 顧翰 (early 15th c.), 9 columns in semi-cursive script, undated; 3 seals: The mountains green,The waters vast.Unrolling the painting feels like in the [region of the] Xiao and Xiang [Rivers].It’s been more than twenty years since I was there.I hear the singing of the fishermen, the rain falling in the trees.Now seeing this painting is like being in a dream;Suddenly, I recall this land of seagulls and egrets.When will I cast off these worldly cares?Carrying the wine, I’ll go back again to row a boat and enjoy my leisure.Xuepo Daoren [Seals]: Xuepo, Xiaguo gongsun, Binghu qiuyue 山蒼蒼，水茫茫，披圖彷彿似瀟湘。二十餘年我曾到，耳聞漁父雨鳴榔。而今見畫恍若夢，偶然憶此鷗鷺鄉。何時脫卻世塵慮，載酒重來鼓枻樂徜徉。雪坡道人 [印]：雪坡、夏國公孫、冰壺秋月 4. Wang Qian 王謙 (mid-15th c.), 6 columns in standard script, undated; 3 seals: One shower in the mountains does away with dusty air;A thousand cliffs and myriad ravines are half-hidden by clouds.Rocks conceal the clear water of the flowing brook;The path traversing the woods is obscure and hard to follow.In high and low abodes the immortals dwell; In various fields rest groups of cranes.Someday, I will move my home to this place.In spring, I will plow the land along the dikes.Wang Qian from Qiantang [in Zhejiang Province] [Seals]: Wang shi, Muzhi, Wushan jiuyin 山中一雨絕塵氛，萬壑千崖半是雲。石隱橫溪清易見，路穿深樹杳難分。參差樓觀棲仙侶，遠近芝田下鶴群。何日移家來此住，春風隴上課耕耘。錢唐王謙 [印]：王氏、牧之、吳山舊隱 5. Shen Chengzhang 沈成章 (mid-15th c.), 7 columns in semi-cursive/standard script, undated; 3 seals: There is a lofty person who possesses the Way, whose sobriquet is Fanghu.In his heart there is no trace of worldliness.His brush, imbued with clouds and mist, seizes the force of Creation,Like a whip that drives dragons and tigers.Evoking the realm of vast ocean and continents,The painting resembles Ten thousand miles along the Yangtze River.The Yang family should treasure this scroll in its collection generation after generation. After viewing and enjoying it, I write down my advice in an inscription.Shen Chengzhang of Wujun [Suzhou, Jiangsu] [Seals]: Xuan Zhai, Da Ming jinshi, Chengzhang 高人有道號方壺，塵氣胸中半點無。筆染雲煙藏造化，鞭驅龍虎捲江湖。依稀大海三洲境，彷彿長江萬里圖。 楊氏珍藏宜世守，品題展玩屬吾徒。 吳郡沈成章 [印]：玄齋、大明進士、成章 6. Qian Bo 錢博 (jinshi degree 1445; still active in 1460), 7 columns in semi-cursive/standard script, undated; 2 seals: This secluded spot is no common place --A Penglai realm on a foot-wide [picture] surface.The huts in the deep woods are tranquil and quiet;The flowing waters beneath the wilderness bridge are free.The birds fly away into the distant sky;Clouds drift among the mountains.In this place traces of men are rare;Along the pine-covered path light rain spots the moss.Qian Bo of Yunjian [in Jiangsu Province] [Seals]: Quan shi yanxia, Yunxin songyi 絕境非凡境，蓬萊只尺間。深林茅屋靜，流水野橋閑。天迥鳥飛沒，山空雲自還。地偏人跡少，松徑雨苔斑。雲間錢博 [印]：泉石煙霞、雲心松意 7. Zhan Jingfeng 詹景鳳 (1528–1602), 17 columns in standard script, dated 1597; 3 seals: Former scholars titled this scroll by Fang Fanghu “Mountains of the Immortals.” They truly are mountains of the immortals. Although I have seen many paintings by Fanghu, I have never seen a work carefully done, but this scroll is carefully done in particular. Works ion color are rare, but this handscroll is painted with translucent red wash. Being subtle, it is surpassingly excellent. Vaporous and indistinct, it is not concerned with formal likeness. The painting has color but the color is diffuse; it cannot be described in terms of color. The conception is misty and inexhaustible; in its mood, free and subliminal, there is profound feeling. Therefore, the conception is still more difficult to match. If the painter were not an enlightened person like Fanghu, he could not attain this. Now I know that those paintings by Fanghu that are often seen and appear coarse are not painted with care. This scroll and the painting of Mount Shu in my collection are both carefully executed. Together they should be treasured as a pair of rare and eternal jade disks. Composed on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month of the dingyou year in the Wanli era [October 19, 1597] by Zhan Jingfeng, Dongtu fu. [Seals]: Zhan Jingfeng yin, Dongtu fu, Dong xi nan bei zhi ren 方方壺此卷前秀名之為《仙山圖》，真仙山也。余見方壺畫多矣，曾未見有精心之作，而而此卷特精心。希見有著色之作，而此卷獨淺絳。精而超妙，恍惚不涉于跡；色入無色，色不足以言之。意致縹緲無盡，寓蒼鬱沈深于瀟灑出塵之趣，則尤難逮矣，非化人烏足以及此。固知彼居常所見，多潦草而涉俗者，良非方壺用意筆耳。是卷與予所藏《蜀山圖》同一精心，可稱雙璧，並足照耀千古，為人世所希覯云。萬曆丁酉九月重九詹景鳳東圖父識。[印]：詹景鳳印、東圖父、東西南北之人 8. Wu Hufan 吳湖帆 (1894–1968), 6 columns in semi-cursive script, dated 1949; 1 seal: Fanghu’s brushwork often appears wild with little restraint. Although his fame was high like divine peaks and jade forests, he could not avoid this [fault]. His brushwork in this scroll conveys substantiality. It captures the spirit of Songxue [Zhao Mengfu, 1254–1322] and evokes the paintings of Shuming [Wang Meng, ca. 1308–1385], and therefore is superior to Zhao Yuan [active ca. 1350–1375] and the likes. In the winter of the wuzi year [1948], my young colleague [Wang] Jiqian [1907–2003] returned from Beijing and brought this [scroll] back. Its return is worth a celebration. In spring, the first month of the jichou year [1949], Wu Hufan recorded this after borrowing it for viewing for some ten days.[iii] [Seal]: Qian An 方壺用筆多涉狂放，雖名重如神嶽瓊林，亦未能免此。是卷筆致渾厚，頗得松雪翁神似，外表與叔明仿佛，然足勝趙元輩矣。戊子冬季遷大弟自平擕歸，堪慶所歸。己丑春正月吳湖帆假觀旬日記。[印]：倩盦Collectors’ seals Zha Shibiao 查士標 (1615–1698)Shibiao 士標 Meihuo miwan 梅壑秘玩 Qing emperor Qianlong 清帝乾隆 (r. 1736–1795)Shiqu baoji 石渠寳笈Qianlong yulan zhi bao 乾隆御覽之寶Shiqu dingjian 石渠定鋻Baoji chongbian 寳笈重編 Chonghua Gong jiancang bao 重華宮鋻藏寳Yi zisun 宜子孫Sanxi Tang jingjian xi 三希堂精鋻璽 Qianlong jianshang 乾隆鑑賞 Qing emperor Jiaqing 清帝嘉慶 (r. 1796–1820)Jiaqing yulan zhi bao 嘉慶御覽之寶 Qing emperor Xuantong 清帝宣統 (r. 1909–1911)Xuantong yulan zhi bao 宣統御覽之寶 Xuantong jianshang 宣統鑑賞Wuyi Zhai jingjian xi 無逸齋精鋻璽 Wang Jiqian 王季遷 (C. C. Wang, 1907–2003)Zhenze Wang shi Jiqian shoucang yin 震澤王氏季遷收藏印Huaiyun Lou jianshang shuhua zhi ji 懷雲樓鑑賞書畫之記Ceng cang Wang Jiqian chu 曾藏王季遷處 Wang Jiqian yin 王季遷印Huaiyun Lou 懷雲樓Wang shi Jiqian zhencang zhi yin 王氏季遷珍藏之印Jiqian jianding 季遷鑑定 Jiqian xinshang 季遷心賞 UnidentifiedLinxi zhuren (three times) 林西主人 Biyun Xuan (twice) 碧筠軒 Huaiyin Yang shi 淮陰楊氏 Zonghao zhen [i] Translations of the colophons are modified from those in Mary Gardner Neill, “Mountains of the Immortals: The Life and Painting of Fang Ts’ung-i,” Doctoral dissertation, Yale University, 1981, pp. 262-65.[ii] The translation of this colophon also integrates phrases from that in Wen C. Fong, Sung and Yuan Paintings, with catalogue by Marilyn Fu, exhibition catalogue, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1973, cat. no. 22, p. 120 and in Sherman Lee and Wai-kam Ho, Chinese Art Under the Mongols: The Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368), exhibition catalogue, Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1968, cat. no. 268.[iii] Translation from Department Records.

Cloudy Mountains was made by the lofty Daoist monk of the Shangqing [Temple], Fang Fanghu [Fang Congyi]. Connoisseurs collected it because they believed it to be a precious object. Judging from the dexterity of the brushwork and the depth of the conception, clearly [Fang’s] paintings are of the same standard as those by Mi Nangong [Mi Fu, 1052–1107] and Gao Fangshan [Gao Kegong, 1248–1310]; they must not be compared to later artists who learned only the superficials. In this scroll, the layered peaks are tinted with the colors of a clear day, now hidden, now revealed by the drifting mist and clouds; the long strip of mountain slope looks like a sandy embankment. The gates of the mountain home seem so quiet, as if no one is there. This must be either a choice realm of the immortals, or some supreme view of the mortal world.

In my family there used to be a painting by Fanghu, although its composition, treatment of depth, and proportions cannot possibly rival this scroll, the excellence of the spirit and the nuance in its use of ink are certainly comparable. Alas, ink-wash paintings like those of Fanghu are not to be frequently seen, even though his paintings have circulated in the world for only seventy-some years. This cannot help but redouble one’s feeling of admiration [for this work]. So I write a quatrain to commemorate this event:

The guest from Yingzhou cannot be seen; His soundless poems give profound pleasure. Intermittent clouds obscure the rustic cottage;Distant trees girdle the mountain slopes.Traces of the hermit are not to be found;The woodcutter has finished his song.Unrolling the painting, I imagine his loftiness,How truly I long to be [in this place].

Composed on the thirteenth day of the intercalary fourth lunar month in the summer of the dingmao year, the twelfth year of the Zhengtong era [May 27, 1447], by Right Assistant Minister of Works [of the secondary capital], Academician Expositor-in-waiting in the Hanlin Academy [of the secondary capital] and Official of the Classics Colloquium, Gao Gu of Huainan [in Jiangsu Province] [2] [Seals]: Weiyang, Shiyong, Yu Zhai

The lofty scholar of the Shangqing Temple, Fang Fanghu,In what year did he paint this Cloudy Mountains?How can his creativity be bound by common feelings?This realm is far removed from the mortal world.From Langfeng the path winds to the isle of Peng [-lai],The ethereal vapors lead to Daxiabiao.Rare grasses are fragrant, daylight lingers,Ripened peaches confer youthfulness.Towering palaces silhouetted against the azure sky,White clouds and blue mists making an expansive haze.As if seeing the shine of cinnabar within the caves,Or hearing the chirping of orioles in the trees.Guangcheng and An Qi, where are they?Facing this painting increases my admiration [for Fang].When will he return riding the windTo relieve this dusty world of its deep ailments?Zhou Kai from Yongjia [in Zhejiang Province]. [Seals]: Ouyue, Zhou shi Zhonglü, Yu zaowu you

The mountains green,The waters vast.Unrolling the painting feels like in the [region of the] Xiao and Xiang [Rivers].It’s been more than twenty years since I was there.I hear the singing of the fishermen, the rain falling in the trees.Now seeing this painting is like being in a dream;Suddenly, I recall this land of seagulls and egrets.When will I cast off these worldly cares?Carrying the wine, I’ll go back again to row a boat and enjoy my leisure.Xuepo Daoren [Seals]: Xuepo, Xiaguo gongsun, Binghu qiuyue

One shower in the mountains does away with dusty air;A thousand cliffs and myriad ravines are half-hidden by clouds.Rocks conceal the clear water of the flowing brook;The path traversing the woods is obscure and hard to follow.In high and low abodes the immortals dwell; In various fields rest groups of cranes.Someday, I will move my home to this place.In spring, I will plow the land along the dikes.Wang Qian from Qiantang [in Zhejiang Province] [Seals]: Wang shi, Muzhi, Wushan jiuyin

There is a lofty person who possesses the Way, whose sobriquet is Fanghu.In his heart there is no trace of worldliness.His brush, imbued with clouds and mist, seizes the force of Creation,Like a whip that drives dragons and tigers.Evoking the realm of vast ocean and continents,The painting resembles Ten thousand miles along the Yangtze River.The Yang family should treasure this scroll in its collection generation after generation. After viewing and enjoying it, I write down my advice in an inscription.Shen Chengzhang of Wujun [Suzhou, Jiangsu] [Seals]: Xuan Zhai, Da Ming jinshi, Chengzhang

This secluded spot is no common place --A Penglai realm on a foot-wide [picture] surface.The huts in the deep woods are tranquil and quiet;The flowing waters beneath the wilderness bridge are free.The birds fly away into the distant sky;Clouds drift among the mountains.In this place traces of men are rare;Along the pine-covered path light rain spots the moss.Qian Bo of Yunjian [in Jiangsu Province] [Seals]: Quan shi yanxia, Yunxin songyi

Former scholars titled this scroll by Fang Fanghu “Mountains of the Immortals.” They truly are mountains of the immortals. Although I have seen many paintings by Fanghu, I have never seen a work carefully done, but this scroll is carefully done in particular. Works ion color are rare, but this handscroll is painted with translucent red wash. Being subtle, it is surpassingly excellent. Vaporous and indistinct, it is not concerned with formal likeness. The painting has color but the color is diffuse; it cannot be described in terms of color. The conception is misty and inexhaustible; in its mood, free and subliminal, there is profound feeling. Therefore, the conception is still more difficult to match. If the painter were not an enlightened person like Fanghu, he could not attain this. Now I know that those paintings by Fanghu that are often seen and appear coarse are not painted with care. This scroll and the painting of Mount Shu in my collection are both carefully executed. Together they should be treasured as a pair of rare and eternal jade disks. Composed on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month of the dingyou year in the Wanli era [October 19, 1597] by Zhan Jingfeng, Dongtu fu. [Seals]: Zhan Jingfeng yin, Dongtu fu, Dong xi nan bei zhi ren

Fanghu’s brushwork often appears wild with little restraint. Although his fame was high like divine peaks and jade forests, he could not avoid this [fault]. His brushwork in this scroll conveys substantiality. It captures the spirit of Songxue [Zhao Mengfu, 1254–1322] and evokes the paintings of Shuming [Wang Meng, ca. 1308–1385], and therefore is superior to Zhao Yuan [active ca. 1350–1375] and the likes. In the winter of the wuzi year [1948], my young colleague [Wang] Jiqian [1907–2003] returned from Beijing and brought this [scroll] back. Its return is worth a celebration. In spring, the first month of the jichou year [1949], Wu Hufan recorded this after borrowing it for viewing for some ten days.[3] [Seal]: Qian An